Guide to Sanitizing Counters With Peroxide

Keep your kitchen countertops clean enough to cook on with hydrogen peroxide.

If you are looking to save money, you might start by brewing your morning coffee at home and taking the time to make your lunch before work, rather than buying it from a restaurant. You can also save by creating your own cleaning solutions. To keep your countertops clean, you can use hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer. It is colorless and is only a little thicker than water. It works as a sanitizing agent because it destroys organic matter, including bacteria. It can kill salmonella and E. coli, two forms of bacteria associated with food-borne illnesses. Sanitizing your countertops with hydrogen peroxide protects your family from illness that could be spread on counters that come in contact with uncooked meat, like chicken or ground beef.

Use

Hydrogen peroxide comes in a variety of strengths. To use it as a sanitizer, purchase a 3-percent solution; it is available in grocery stores and pharmacies. A 3-percent solution is strong enough to kill bacteria, but safe to use for home cleaning. Pour the hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and spritz down the counters. Wipe the peroxide away with a sponge, then lightly spritz the same area with white vinegar. Wipe that away, then rinse the area with water.

Risks

While hydrogen peroxide does not contain dangerous chemicals, there are some risks involved in its use. Hydrogen peroxide can bleach kitchen linens, including dish towels and curtains. It can also bleach colored tile grout. Move all fabric items off countertops before spraying the peroxide. If you have colored grout on your tiled countertops, you'll need to use another sanitizer that is not a bleaching agent. Wiping your counters down with vinegar and then water helps neutralize any lingering effects of the peroxide and prevents unwanted bleaching.

Considerations

Keep hydrogen peroxide out of the reach of children and pets. It causes burning if it gets into someone's eyes. If swallowed, the most common reactions are sore throat and vomiting. Contact medical professionals if symptoms last longer than a day. 3-percent hydrogen peroxide can be used to sanitize surfaces in other parts of your home, but don't apply it to wood or carpeting. Store it in an opaque, rather than clear bottle, as light can break it down.

References

• "2,001 Amazing Cleaning Secrets"; Jeff Bredenberg; 2004